Constructed in 1837, the Perkins Stone Mansion belonged to Colonel Simon Perkins, who was the son of Akron's founder General Simon Perkins. This historic house museum is now maintained by the Summit County Historical Society of Akron and is also their headquarters. One of the most striking Greek Revival style houses in the area, the repository is decked with period furnishing telling the story of its past residents, city and county.
Located in Akron, the Akron Zoo boasts of 700 animals spanning over 90 species! With almost 1 million visitors coming here every year, it is touted to be the most popular tourist attraction in the entire Summit County. The zoo is divided in to six sections that are symbolic of different parts of the globe. Also, there are various exhibits at the zoo like, The Legends of the Wild, The Komodo Kingdom, Jellies Rhythm, Journey to the Reef, Penguin Point and Tiger Valley.
The historic parcel of land that Hale Farm & Village is built on was donated to The Western Reserve Historical Society by Clara Belle Ritchie. Historic buildings from around the country were relocated to the land to create a living history museum and village called Wheatfield. Visitors will learn about life during the Civil War and the history of the region. Exhibits relating to fashion, technology, and other subjects can be seen here as well.
The Akron Fossils & Science Center is noted for its hands-on guided tours and science activities. The exhibits here display many fossils from Ohio and around the world. This 4,500 square-foot museum also has an outdoor adventure park called Truassic Park. The museum is devoted to informing the people about the creationist theory on the universe's origin.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides a world of natural wonders to explore just 20 kilometers (13 miles) away from the urban environs of Cleveland. The park's pristine wilderness is centered around the meandering Cuyahoga River. The river bisects the entire reserve in a clean sweep that spans nearly 33,000 acres (13354.62 hectares). This diverse topography shelters a wide range of native wildlife such as red foxes, Canadian geese, Great Blue herons, coyotes and white-tailed deer. Geological features include a system of cascading waterfalls, labyrinthine caves and hiking trails of varying difficulty levels. The Boston Store Visitor Center, the Towpath Trail, and the Ohio & Erie Canal are three of the park's most-frequented attractions.
Encompassing 260-acre (105.21-hectare) green recreation area, Hudson Springs Park features a 50-acre (20.23-hectare) lake, hiking trail, playground for children, picnic table, open meadow, disc golf, water fountain, clean restrooms, and ample parking space. The park is also home to varied wildlife. Some of the commonly found animals and birds are geese, foxes, deer, herons, owls, hawks, and ducks. Picnicking and Fishing activities are popular among the locals.
Although the congregation can trace its history back to 1837, Independence Presbyterian Church was constructed in 1853. After its dedication in October 1854, the church served the community until 1905, when it was shut down, reopening in 1925. The original structure, which is now an annexed chapel, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
The St. Bernard Catholic Church is serving the Akron region since 1861, and continues to do so. This church building perfectly exemplifies the German-Romanesque style combined with Baroque designs. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
The St. Paul's Episcopal Church is a historic church boasting impressive Gothic Revival architecture. Located in the heart of Medina, Ohio, the historic stone-structured church was built in 1884, featuring a gable roof, a steeple, and several rosette windows. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and deemed the best Gothic-Revival structure in the county. The church is used for many weddings and other community events.